History of the South Blooming Grove Fire District & Independence Fire Company

The Need for a Local Fire District

The South Blooming Grove Fire District was established in 1975 following a three-year petitioning effort led by Benny Rubin and supported by local residents who believed their growing community deserved faster and more reliable fire protection.

The movement gained momentum after the devastating Stonegate Fire of 1972, which highlighted the challenges of relying on neighboring fire departments. At the time, fire protection was provided by the Washingtonville and Monroe Fire Departments, whose response times often ranged between 10 and 15 minutes due to the distance they had to travel.
Recognizing the need for a local department, residents successfully petitioned to create their own fire district dedicated solely to protecting the community.

Building a Department from the Ground Up

Fire Chief Walter Ludke helped guide the department through its formative years as members worked tirelessly to build an organization from the ground up.

Many of the department’s earliest training props and equipment were either constructed by volunteers or donated by neighboring departments. Among the first apparatus acquired were a 1950 Mack Pumper, purchased from the Village of Monroe for $375, and a 1955 American LaFrance apparatus, providing the foundation of the department’s growing fleet.

July 4, 1975 — A New Beginning

On July 4, 1975, the South Blooming Grove Fire District officially placed both the firehouse and Independence Fire Company into service.

The original response fleet consisted of:

1971 American LaFrance Pumper
1955 American LaFrance Squad Truck with Ladder
Dodge Power Wagon Brush Truck
Ford Van serving as the Fire Police Unit

Initial responses were supplemented through an automatic mutual aid agreement with the Washingtonville Fire Department. The results were immediate, reducing average emergency response times from approximately 10–15 minutes to just five minutes, dramatically improving fire protection for local residents.

A Tradition of Experience

The department entered service under the leadership of Fire Chief Mike Lee, commanding approximately 65 volunteer firefighters.

Roughly 20 members were active firefighters with the Fire Department of New York (FDNY). These experienced firefighters introduced many of the modern interior firefighting techniques practiced within New York City, bringing advanced firefighting tactics and training to Orange County.

At a time when many departments relied primarily on exterior defensive operations, South Blooming Grove became recognized for embracing aggressive interior firefighting techniques and helping influence modern firefighting practices throughout the region.

Continuing the Legacy

From its humble beginnings, Independence Fire Company continued to grow alongside the community it serves.

Within just a few years, membership expanded rapidly as more residents volunteered to serve their neighbors. Today, the department proudly consists of more than 100 volunteer members operating a modern fleet that includes:

Two Engines
One Ladder Truck
One Rescue
One Brush Truck
One Fire Police Vehicle
Three Chief’s Vehicles

Nearly five decades after its founding, the South Blooming Grove Fire District continues its tradition of volunteer service, community involvement, and professional emergency response while honoring the vision and dedication of those who built the department in 1975.